Multicenter retrospective cohort Italian study on elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by the surgical residents.

PURPOSE: This retrospective multicenter cohort study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes (mortality rate, operative time, complications) of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) when performed by a surgical resident in comparison to experienced consultant in the backdrop of Italian academic centers. METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients undergoing elective LC between January 2016 and January 2022 at six teaching hospitals across Italy was performed. Cases were identified using the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 5123 (LC without cholangiogram). All cases of emergency surgery, ASA score > 3, or when cholecystectomy was performed with another surgical procedure, were excluded. All suitable cases were divided into 2 groups based on primary surgeon: consultant or senior resident. Main outcome was complication rates (intraoperative and peri/postoperative); secondary outcomes included operative time, the length of stay, and the rate of conversion to open. RESULTS: A total of 2331 cases (1425 females) were included, of which, consultants performed 1683 LCs (72%), while the residents performed 648 (28%) surgeries. The groups were statistically comparable regarding demographics, history of previous abdominal surgery, operative time, or intraoperative complications. The rate of conversion to open cholecystectomy was 1.42% for consultant and none for resident (p = 0.02). A statistically significant difference was observed between groups regarding the average length of stay (2.2 ± 3 vs 1.6 ± 1.3 days p = 0.03). Similarly, postoperative complications (1.7% vs 0.5%) resulted in statistically significant (p = 0.02) favoring resident group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that in selected patients, senior residents can safely perform LC when supervised by senior staff surgeons.

Colorectal cancer after bariatric surgery (Cric-Abs 2020): Sicob (Italian society of obesity surgery) endorsed national survey.

BACKGROUND: The published colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes after bariatric surgery (BS) are conflicting, with some anecdotal studies reporting increased risks. The present nationwide survey CRIC-ABS 2020 (Colo-Rectal Cancer Incidence-After Bariatric Surgery-2020), endorsed by the Italian Society of Obesity Surgery (SICOB), aims to report its incidence in Italy after BS, comparing the two commonest laparoscopic procedures-Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GBP). METHODS: Two online questionnaires-first having 11 questions on SG/GBP frequency with a follow-up of 5-10 years, and the second containing 15 questions on CRC incidence and management, were administered to 53 referral bariatric, high volume centers. A standardized incidence ratio (SIR-a ratio of the observed number of cases to the expected number) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated along with CRC incidence risk computation for baseline characteristics. RESULTS: Data for 20,571 patients from 34 (63%) centers between 2010 and 2015 were collected, of which 14,431 had SG (70%) and 6140 GBP (30%). 22 patients (0.10%, mean age = 53 ± 12 years, 13 males), SG: 12 and GBP: 10, developed CRC after 4.3 ± 2.3 years. Overall incidence was higher among males for both groups (SG: 0.15% vs 0.05%; GBP: 0.35% vs 0.09%) and the GBP cohort having slightly older patients. The right colon was most affected (n = 13) and SIR categorized/sex had fewer values < 1, except for GBP males (SIR = 1.07). CONCLUSION: Low CRC incidence after BS at 10 years (0.10%), and no difference between procedures was seen, suggesting that BS does not trigger the neoplasm development.

Transhiatal Migration After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Myth or Reality? A Multicenter, Retrospective Study on the Incidence and Clinical Impact.

PURPOSE: Only anecdotally reported, intrathoracic migration (ITM) represents an unacknowledged complication after sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) contributing to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) development, both recurrent and de novo. The primary endpoint of this study was to evaluate the incidence of postoperative ITM ≥ 2 cm; the secondary endpoint was to determine the relationships between ITM, GERD, endoscopic findings, and percentage of patients requiring surgical revision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, multicenter study on prospective databases was conducted, analyzing LSGs performed between 2013 and 2018. Inclusion criteria consisted of primary operation; BMI ranging 35-60 kg/m2; age 18-65 years; minimum follow-up 24 months; and postoperative UGIE, excluding concomitant hiatal hernia repair. Esophageal manometry and 24-h pH-metry were indicated, based on postoperative questionnaires and UGIE; patients with GERD due to ITM, and non-responders to medical therapy, were converted to R-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). RESULTS: An ITM ≥ 2cm was postoperatively diagnosed in 94 patients (7% of 1337 LSGs), after mean 24.16 ± 13.6 months. Postoperative esophagitis was found in 29 patients vs. 15 initially (p=0.001), while GERD was demonstrated in 75 (vs. 20 preoperatively, p< 0.001). Fifteen patients (16%) underwent revision to RYGB with posterior cruroplasty. Seventeen patients with severe GERD presented improvement of endoscopic findings and clinical symptoms as a result of conservative therapy. CONCLUSIONS: ITM after LSG is not a negligible complication and represents an important pathogenic factor in the development or worsening of GERD. Postoperative UGIE plays a fundamental role in the diagnosis of esophageal mucosal lesions.

Alcohol ingestion symptoms after sleeve gastrectomy: intoxication or drunkenness? A prospective study from a Bariatric Centre of Excellence.

PURPOSE: The aim of this original research is to evaluate the effect of SG on alcohol intake symptoms, blood alcohol content (BAC), and alcohol metabolite levels. METHODS: At 0-6-12 months after SG, BAC of patients was measured at 0, 15, 30, and 60 min, and then every 30 min, and urinary metabolite (ethanol and acetaldehyde) levels were measured 2 h after consuming a standard red wine drink. Symptoms perceived by patients were evaluated using symptom alcoholization post-obesity surgery scores. RESULTS: Thirty obese patients (12 men/18 women; mean body mass index, 44 ± 4 kg/m2) who underwent SG were enrolled in this study. At 12 months after SG, no alcohol use disorder was observed and BAC tended to peak after 15 min, with alcohol intoxication symptoms (nausea/vomiting, flushing, and diaphoresis), and return to zero after 90 min of wine intake. Ethanol and acetaldehyde levels were significantly different at 12 months compared with the levels at time 0 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Following SG, patients exhibit a high BAC at 15 min after moderate alcohol consumption accompanied with increased metabolite excretion and intoxication symptoms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III obtained from well-designed cohort analytic study.